Deadhead is when a truck is moving but not carrying a paying load, so the miles are “empty” and don’t bring in revenue. It usually happens after a drop-off when the driver has to travel to the next pickup or head back to a yard.
When is Deadhead used?
It comes up when routes don’t line up neatly. You finish a delivery in one area, but the next job is somewhere else (or there just isn’t a good load nearby). Even though the truck is empty, you still spend on fuel, tolls, and wear-and-tear, and the driver’s time is still ticking. If you’re quoting a price, forgetting these miles can make a route look profitable on paper when it’s not. Also, don’t confuse it with bobtailing, which is driving without a trailer attached.
How Transportify fits in
Transportify lets you book the vehicle you need, choose pickup times, and see trip updates in the app. When you can line up jobs closer together and avoid unnecessary repositioning, it can help lower deadhead miles, especially for businesses that do repeat routes and want more predictable costs.
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 | Noel Abelardo Deputy Country Director |
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